Main menu

NASCAR: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. picks up Nationwide Series win in Iowa

August 5, 2011

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Carl Edwards skid across the finish line in Iowa on Saturday. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

Roush Fenway Racing teammates Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Carl Edwards finished 1-2 in Saturday night's US Cellular Nationwide Series 250 at Iowa Speedway, but it wasn't exactly your typical 1-2 finish. Stenhouse was approaching the checkered flag when his Ford's engine blew in a huge plume of white smoke. Edwards, close behind but no threat to pass for the win, slammed blindly into Stenhouse, lifting the back of the car and shoving him sideways across the line. Both cars were heavily damaged but neither driver was injured.

The win was the second of Stenhouse's career, both in Roush Fenway Fords and both this year at Iowa Speedway. He's the first Nationwide-only driver with two wins and one of only three Nationwide-only drivers with any wins this year. Sprint Cup drivers have won 18 of the first 22 races. Stenhouse led three times for 25 laps: 100-101, 154, and from 229 to the spectacular finish.

Edwards, who flew in from Pocono after Sprint Cup qualifying, led the most, three times for 109 laps: 69-99, 107-153 and 155-185. Sam Hornish Jr., subbing for the injured Brad Keselowski, led once for 39 laps, Sadler led once for 38, McDowell once for 17, and Trevor Bayne once for 12. The other 10 laps were divided among Michael Annett, Jeremy Clements and Mayhew.